Ebonyi Governorship: ‘Those Who Lose First Time Never Return To Win’ — Nwedu

A member of the Ebonyi State Board of Internal Revenue, Nwedu A. Nwedu, has argued that the history of governorship elections in Ebonyi State shows a distinct pattern: every elected governor of the state has won the governorship on his first attempt.

Nwedu made the assertion while reflecting on the political history of Ebonyi State and the emergence of successive elected governors since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

According to him, the first elected Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Sam Ominyi Egwu, contested for the position for the first time and won. He was succeeded by Chief Martin Nwancho Elechi, who also emerged victorious in his first governorship contest in 2007.

Nwedu further noted that former Governor David Nweze Umahi won the 2015 governorship election on his first attempt, while the incumbent Governor, Rt. Hon. Bldr. Princ. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, also contested the governorship for the first time in 2023 and emerged victorious.

Records of Ebonyi State's political history confirm that Egwu served from 1999 to 2007, Elechi from 2007 to 2015, Umahi from 2015 to 2023, and Nwifuru assumed office in May 2023 after winning the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

Nwedu therefore described the pattern as evidence of what he sees as a unique political arrangement in Ebonyi State, insisting that governorship is not simply determined by financial strength, family background or repeated attempts.

“God chooses who becomes the Governor of Ebonyi State,” Nwedu said, arguing that aspiring candidates should not assume that money or political connections alone can guarantee victory at the polls.

He also took a swipe at what he described as repeated governorship contests by some political actors, saying he finds it amusing when such individuals boast on social media about taking over the Ebonyi State Government House.

According to him, “since the creation of Ebonyi State, no one has contested for Governor, failed, and later contested for the same position and won in a subsequent election.”

Nwedu said the political pattern remained noteworthy, stressing that the four elected governors of Ebonyi State — Egwu, Elechi, Umahi and Nwifuru — all secured victory when they first contested for the state's highest elective office.

He concluded by expressing confidence in Governor Nwifuru's continued leadership, declaring: “FON 4+4 = 8. FON till 2031.”